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why would he be moved to 3rd base.....his fielding and throwing were not his strengths.....after last year, I was under the impression he was going to the outfield.

That's not entirely true. The skill set is a bit different, but it isn't like he doesn't have some strong fielding tools (Having a strong arm is a huge boon at 3rd). You need good reaction too, but not elite speed.

I think this makes a huge amount of sense

Also - to the OP: don't fret that everyone is already acting like it was written in stone. It wasn't. He almost ended up in LF or elsewhere. Thanks for the report.

That's not entirely true. The skill set is a bit different, but it isn't like he doesn't have some strong fielding tools (Having a strong arm is a huge boon at 3rd). You need good reaction too, but not elite speed.

I think this makes a huge amount of sense

Also - to the OP: don't fret that everyone is already acting like is was written in stone. It wasn't. He almost ended up in LF or elsewhere. Thanks for the report.

Thanks. I'm aware there is a "holier than thou" crew about SC baseball on here. Doesn't bother me. We're all fans

why would he be moved to 3rd base.....his fielding and throwing were not his strengths.....after last year, I was under the impression he was going to the outfield.

His arm strength is some of the best on the team. He wasn't a great SS simply because he lacked range - hence most of his fielding errors. Joey will be fine at third. Most of the balls hit to third are lasers, or at least get to you quicker than they would at short. So in reality, he has more time to step and throw.

He can and probably will still see some time in the outfield. The 3B/LF spots were up for grab between a number of guys; Matt Williams (FR; 3B/2B), Joey Pankake (JR; 3B/LF), Elliott Caldwell (JR; 3B/LF), Gene Cone (FR; OF), Brock Maxwell (FR; OF), and Zach Madden (FR; OF). Elliott Caldwell has his chances at third, but the coaching staff has decided to put Elliott Caldwell in left instead. Cone is easily the best OF of the bunch, and was the most consistent hitter of the fall. Madden and Maxwell struggled this fall (Brock didn't record a single hit).

With JP at 3B and EC in LF this gives us the two best hitters (average/power) in our lineup, with a team leader at 3B and a guy with SEC experience in the infield.

He will be better than Verg at 3B and similar to LB, but with better arm strength. I'm really liking our infield, and our defensive lineup in general.

That's a solid group of fielders. If Connor struggles defensively, but is alive at the plate (similar to last year), I fully expect Gene Cone to get a shot. He was one of the best defensive outfielders we had in the fall (with MULTIPLE assist from the outfield) and he wasn't to shabby at the plate either.

DH - Brison Celek/Taylor Widener/Connor Bright/Elliott Caldwell (depending on who is playing the field)

He made a number of throwing errors w/o being on the run....as far as fielding, he made a number of fielding errors with balls hit right to him. hopefully, he'll be improved.

That's true. it's just a different beast. A lot of the errors made by SS or 2B has more to do with the perceived lack of time to make an accurate throw. The position is twitch based at every point: Fielding, switching and throwing.

Typically, your 3B is the second worst "fielder" on the in field, behind only 1B. So any fielding issues (of which, he does have a few) will be muted here. Furthermore, poor instincts can be made up with a strong arm (For example: A super talented 3B might charge a ball, pick it at the inbetween hop and have all day to throw to first. A less talented one may wait on the ball, giving it an extra hop - but if he has the arm strength, can still record the out consistently).

Not trying to talk down to anyone: I think most people probably know that all ready. Just putting it out there.

As a corollary: I am *not* in the camp who believes that Pankake will be better at 3B than LB. LB was a stud over there. Pankake has a fantastic arm, but LB was flawless. Unexpectedly so. Still - I think he's an upgrade over Vergason, and probably going to flourish at that position.

Thanks for the update.
3rd is more of a reaction and use of a strong arm...less time to think and less time to need to move around which hides a lack of range. Range isn't needed at 3rd like short. Also, he has less to think about especially with not being needed to turn a double play on most ground balls. That by itself will free him up to field the ball better.

I always thought Pankake would be a natural in left or right field. With him out there runners at second would have to think twice about going home on a single. I think he can play third, but I also think that you can expect to see a few balls thrown into the dug-out or stands from third. But the bottom line is that he is too talented to be on the bench.

It's in Pankake's best interest to play third , if he can play it well . All other things being equal , he will be drafted higher as a third baseman than as a left-fielder . But if he struggles there he can certainly move to left field . Other options at third would be Caldwell or possibly one of the middle infielders .